An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially ended after the country recorded 42 consecutive days without a new case, as confirmed by Congolese health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO).
About Ebola
Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease caused by a group of viruses known as orthoebolaviruses (formerly called ebolaviruses).
These viruses were first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is named after the Ebola River, located near one of the villages where the first outbreak was identified. Ebola affects humans and non-human primates, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys.
Nature of the Disease
Ebola is classified as a viral hemorrhagic fever because it disrupts the body’s blood-clotting mechanism, which can lead to internal bleeding. Out of the six known species of the Ebola virus, four are known to cause disease in humans.
Transmission
The virus is transmitted to humans from infected wild animals such as fruit bats, porcupines, and non-human primates. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons, as well as through contaminated surfaces and materials like clothing and bedding. Ebola does not spread through the air, unlike respiratory infections.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding.
The disease often progresses rapidly and can be fatal. The average case fatality rate is around 50%, though past outbreaks have shown mortality rates ranging from 25% to 90%.
Treatment and Management
There is no definitive cure for Ebola. However, supportive care significantly improves survival chances. Treatment mainly involves maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and administering blood or plasma to manage bleeding. Two FDA-approved monoclonal antibody treatments—Inmazeb and Ebanga—are available for the Ebola Zaire strain.
Recovery depends on factors such as early initiation of treatment, the viral load, and the patient’s immune response and age.